Inter Call Off Lookman Pursuit to Focus on Other Roles | OneFootball

Inter have informed the Ademola Lookman camp and Atalanta that they are abandoning their lengthy pursuit. Perhaps not coincidentally, the player has returned to Italy on Tuesday, La Gazzetta dello Sport relays.

The attacker has resumed training on his own. He’ll face discipline for his unmotivated absence. There are no other bids for him for the time being.

Inter made the call on Lookman both because Atalanta never really set a price tag after turning down €45M and because they prefer investing in different positions. Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito have looked good during the summer, and Christian Chivu is content with his frontline.

The Nerazzurri are plotting to make another attempt for Manu Koné even though Roma rejected a large offer during the weekend. They are seeking fallbacks abroad. They might also add a defender, with or without a sale. Benjamin Pavard has received a lucrative proposal from Neom SC, and he’s thinking about it. A couple of Ligue 1 teams like him as well.

They have agreed to a €10M fee plus a 40 percent resale clause with Bologna for Kristjan Asllani. The Rossoblù are trying to come to terms with the midfielder.

Our Take on Inter and Lookman

Nothing is decided on the transfer market until the window is over, but it doesn’t feel like a strategic retreat. Atalanta probably wanted a lot more than initially reported. Deals of this magnitude don’t fall through because of a few million. The plan is sound, especially after the exits in the midfield. La Dea is in a tough spot, but it probably won’t be long until other suitors pop up.